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Council flip-flops on Faust project
Chris Clegg
for South Peace News
Backlash from Faust citizens has prompted the M.D. of Big Lakes council to reverse its decision on a water and sewer project in the hamlet.
Council is proceeding on a much more expensive $3.53 million gravity system instead of the $1.335 million low pressure system approved at its Sept. 30 meeting.
The decision means Faust residents will be paying higher debentures, but it appears to be what most want. A poll conducted by the M.D. garnered 24 responses: 11 favoured the gravity system; eight favoured the low pressure system; five wanted no project. Nine did not respond.
Council was flooded with several letters at its Oct. 14 meeting from residents angry at council’s decision.
“We are astounded with council’s decision to go against the majority of the taxpayer’s wishes regarding the Faust East End Sewer Project,” wrote Bryan and Sandra Heroux. “Council should make decisions based on facts, not speculation or hearsay.”
“I would like to know why the majority votes for this system and yet the M.D. decides to not honour the majority,” wrote Joe Wolff.
“We feel that council’s decision was not an informed decision and should be reconsidered,” wrote Steve Gladue and Shelly Heroux.
Other letters were similar.
“They’re there for your information,” said CAO Jeff Renaud. “Are we past the point of no return? No!”
Joussard Councillor Guy L’Heuueux spoke first and said he would be changing his vote.
“I’m not going to say I was misled but some of the information fell through the cracks,” he said.
Specifically, were the inflated numbers being tossed around that landowners would have to pay. Smaller numbers would make the project more affordable, said L’Heureux.
Faust resident Wally Garrick attended the meeting and said the cost to him was too high at $128,000 although he later heard the actual cost was around $80,000. Garrick has the second highest frontage while Albert Burger has the most.
Garrick told council that paying such a large amount for a project on his property assessed at $268,000 didn’t make sense.
“Things aren’t computing properly,” he said. “I will personally never hook into that system. I will personally head up a petition to shut it down.
“I hate to say it but I will get personally involved. I will spend the next month on it,” concluded Garrick.
L’Heureux said the gravity system would be better “in the long run” because residents would not have to keep buying pumps and be saddled with maintenance.
“I’m going to reverse my decision,” he concluded.
“I’m not changing my vote,” said Reeve Alvin Billings, who always favoured the gravity system. “We agreed we’d go with the majority.”
“I’ve always been in favour of the gravity system. . .for the future,” added Triangle, Gilwood Councillor Ken Matthews.
Sunset House, Gilwood South Councillor Randy Ehman was not in favour.
“I can’t vote for this thing so some guy has to move away,” he said.
Council passed a motion to proceed with Ehman and Faust Councillor Violet Campiou voting against.
Residents have 30 days to present council with a petition after receiving official notice from the M.D. they are proceeding. To stop the project, the petition must included two-thirds of the vote from landowners including 50 per cent of the assessment on the affected property.
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